Requiem- Angela Aki

Most readers know that I love Angela Aki. There’s something a bit morbid about hearing songs with really happy beats but depressing lyrics, like Tashika Ni.

Nothing really beats her songs about death though, and it’s no different from this time, except perhaps instead, the song is personal. It was written in memory of her grandfather, who passed away while Answer, her latest album, was being produced.

Minus the Italian Subs, (just let it play, really, and enjoy the song), I love the sound of Requiem. It speaks about death, and there’s a certain epic quality to it that mixes the essence of Uchuu and Moral No Soushiki, as another fan puts it.

However, it’s not the tune itself that has seduced me this time. It’s kind of the whole song, taken together in its totality. Here, for once, have the English translation instead of the Japanese words first:

The last thing I saw was 2 bright headlamps from the opposite lane In that night when it rained heavily I lost my life just like that

I awoke to someone calling my name It was a voice of unprecedented gentleness “Open that crimson door in front of you And cross over to this side” it said

“There’re some people I wish to bid farewell to Can you grant me just a little bit more time?”

“In that case, let’s wait for one night only This door closes for eternity tomorrow morning So please take care”

After promising to return The broken clock started to move

(Second Movement)

I broke the silence of the night And returned back to earth I have to bid farewell Before dawn arrives Travelling to where you are “I’m coming to see you”

Returned to the hometown With the nostalgic scenery I grew up with I found mother lighting a candle silently, praying “Mother, I’m home”

Mother goodbye There’s a truth I’ve found only after accepting death There are things I never said because I took them for granted Not once, I could bring myself to say this I could never find the words Thank you for loving me, I am truly grateful “Be well, Mother”

I have to bid farewell Before dawn arrives Travelling to where you are I found you at the seashore Tears flowing while gazing at the moon “Oh, my lover”

My love goodbye There’s a truth I’ve found only after accepting death There are things I never said because I took them for granted I could never bring this across well That I found happiness having met you Thank you for loving me, I am truly grateful “Goodbye, my love”

If only I told you this, when I was still alive (repeat)

(Third Movement)

aeternam habeas requiem (May you have eternal rest)

(Forth Movement)

With this, I came to the end of my journey Finally pushing open that crimson door I found, waiting for me, a huge silver ship Waiting to take me for a ride into eternity